Borrowing a Knife

Chapter 35: Borrowing a Knife

Mount Qi has no Brocade Merchant Guild.

Elder Liang had been searching for Lu Zhaojin on Mount Qi for almost two days. If the people of Luoxia City hadn't secretly informed him, he would have had to go to Yanling Commandery and the Brocade Merchant Guild to find Lu Zhaojin's whereabouts, which would have been a great hassle.

On the way, he learned about the changes to the Dragon Ranking. Seeing that his young master had been pushed out of the Dragon Ranking while Lu Zhaojin had climbed onto it, he felt a bit incredulous.

He recalled the True Martial Division of Luoxia City and the description of Lu Zhaojin on the ranking. Based on his investigation, most of it was inaccurate, so this ranking hid a deeper meaning.

Elder Liang knew Zhao Rong was a cunning person. After interacting with him today, he couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, are we really going to be Zhao Rong's knife, helping him kill people?"

Chen Jingchun came to Luoxia City not for pleasure, so he naturally did not accept Zhao Rong's invitation.

He came to Luoxia City to kill Lu Zhaojin.

Not only did Lu Zhaojin kill his younger brother, but he also pushed him out of the Dragon Ranking, making him a laughingstock among his friends. He was truly hateful.

Therefore, upon learning that Lu Zhaojin was in Luoxia City, he followed Elder Liang there.

He wanted to show the world that not just anyone could enter the Dragon Ranking.

Once he returned to fiftyth place, he would charge towards higher ranks. This was the time for his Chen Family to become famous throughout the Great Ding.

Although Zhao Rong had his own calculations in this, Chen Jingchun was no pushover. After dealing with Lu Zhaojin, he would settle the score with Zhao Rong. "It's fine. Elder Liang, there's no time to delay, let's go find Lu Zhaojin."

Elder Liang was more cautious than Chen Jingchun. After all, he had lived for so long and witnessed many prodigies who couldn't be understood by common sense. "Young Master, shouldn't we investigate Lu Zhaojin carefully? If he has any close associates, we could capture them. It might be useful."

Chen Jingchun said, "Before I left home, my father already investigated. Lu Zhaojin has no other relatives, only his father, Lu Jinlin. My father has already sent people to look for him."

He said seriously, "However, these are petty tricks that won't amount to anything. I disdain using them."

Elder Liang knew this was the youthful arrogance of someone who hadn't experienced the dark and dirty depths of the martial world. Therefore, his thoughts and methods were rather superficial. But he was merely a guest elder of the Chen Family, and Chen Jingchun was the young master of the Chen Family. He had no right to lecture him. "As long as we can capture him, that's good."

In fact, the reason Elder Liang wanted to do this was because he found Lu Zhaojin very strange.

According to the intelligence he had investigated, before the Sihai Escort Agency was destroyed, Lu Zhaojin's martial arts realm had been stuck at the Ninth Rank for many years, unable to break through. His innate talent was also considered inferior.

But after the Sihai Escort Agency was destroyed, not only did his martial arts realm advance by leaps and bounds, reaching the Seventh-Rank Realm in just a few days, but his style of conduct also became decisive, as if he had become a different person.

Lu Zhaojin had killed several Seventh-Rank Realm martial artists during this period. Elder Liang was also at the Seventh Rank. Initially, he had volunteered to suppress Lu Zhaojin, but now he was not confident. Therefore, he planned to start with Lu Zhaojin's close associates, using them as leverage to force Lu Zhaojin to surrender.

Lu Zhaojin arrived at the Brocade Tower and once again saw Li Xiufang's cold face. She seemed to be trying to put on an air of elder authority, but her acting was clumsy, making her appear awkward and out of place.

He didn't have time to play these games with Li Xiufang, nor did he see Lu Wenxiu. He assumed the news about Zhao Jinzhi hadn't been found yet.

Lu Zhaojin glanced at Li Xiufang, his eyes unreadable, as if asking, "Is this the extent of your Brocade Tower's ability to find people?"

She had boasted earlier that there was no one the Brocade Merchant Guild couldn't find in the world, but now, two days had passed, and there was not even a shadow of him.

Li Xiufang was somewhat annoyed, both by Lu Zhaojin's attitude and Lu Wenxiu's work efficiency. "He sent a message back today saying he found the Zhao Jinzhi you mentioned. However, that person is always wrapped in a black robe from head to toe, making his appearance unclear. He is further confirming if it is Zhao Jinzhi."

Lu Zhaojin heard this and felt it was highly likely that the person was Zhao Jinzhi. "Where did he find him?"

Li Xiufang said, "Lushu Commandery."

Lu Zhaojin nodded, indicating that he understood.

Lushu Commandery was north of Yanling Commandery, northeast of Luoshui Commandery. The journey was quite long. It would take at least ten to fifteen days to travel from Luoxia City.

He wondered what Zhao Jinzhi's purpose was in going to Lushu Commandery.

Lu Zhaojin knew that Zhao Jinzhi was the Son of Destiny in this world. Wherever he went, there must be opportunities hidden.

Lu Zhaojin considered the idea of using Zhao Jinzhi as a treasure-hunting mouse, but he felt it would be better to kill him. It would be too difficult to kill the mouse once it had grown fat.

Seeing Lu Zhaojin about to leave upon receiving the news, Li Xiufang's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Shall we talk?"

Lu Zhaojin looked at Li Xiufang's face. "What is there to talk about?"

Li Xiufang was momentarily speechless, feeling that her nephew's words were a bit sharp. "I am your aunt."

Lu Zhaojin said indifferently, "I don't acknowledge you."

The words Li Xiufang was about to say remained unspoken. She could only watch Lu Zhaojin leave.

These past two days, she had secretly sent people to Mount Qi to investigate Lu Zhaojin's experiences since childhood. She felt there was nothing outstanding about him. With inferior roots, he couldn't even enter the gates of the Li Family.

But after the Sihai Escort Agency was destroyed by the Zhang Family and the Zhao Family, Lu Zhaojin seemed to have awakened. In just a few days, he had achieved such strength. This truly made her suspect if Lu Zhaojin had found some treasure in the Qi River after jumping into it.

After careful consideration, Li Xiufang had someone secretly send this news back to the Li Family, especially to Li Xiulan, her sister.

She repeatedly emphasized that no one else should see it.

Lu Zhaojin walked on the road back to the inn.

At night, this road was very quiet. Darkness spread through the streets and alleys, with most areas consumed by darkness.

Only the Brothel District, where the Spring Flower Pavilion was located, was brightly lit. Laughter of men and women seemed to drift over with the gentle breeze.

Lu Zhaojin heard a light whizzing sound, very close, right in front of him. A young man holding a long spear blocked his path ahead.

The spear tip lightly touched the stone-paved street. The sparse moonlight shone on the other person, revealing a handsome face and eyes filled with fighting spirit.

This person was Chen Jingchun.

He learned from the inn that Lu Zhaojin was out, with no known destination. So, he sent people to wait nearby, instructing them to call Lu Zhaojin over as soon as they spotted him.

And so.

He appeared here, blocking Lu Zhaojin's path.

Chen Jingchun twirled his long spear, its tip pointed at Lu Zhaojin, and sternly asked, "You are Lu Zhaojin?"

Lu Zhaojin didn't recognize the man, but the fighting spirit emanating from him suggested he was here to challenge him. Lu Zhaojin thought about the influence of the Dragon Ranking. "That's right."

Chen Jingchun said, "Very good. Not only did you kill my brother, but you also pushed me off the Dragon Ranking. Today, I will test your strength."

Lu Zhaojin's brow twitched slightly. He hadn't expected there to be a grudge between them. "Which brother of yours?"

There had indeed been quite a few souls who had met their end by his sword recently, making it difficult to remember everyone.

Chen Jingchun's face darkened slightly. "Chen Jingyi."

Lu Zhaojin suddenly understood, recalling the young man who had shot a cold arrow at the Mount Qi Cave Mansion. However, he couldn't dwell on it, as the other man was already charging forward with his spear, aiming straight for the kill.